The Dell Rapids School Board specified at its March 25 meeting which faculty members would feel the impacts of more than $200,000 worth of cuts it made to next year’s budget earlier this month.

After a closed door, executive session, the board voted unanimously to adjust the following contracts: Sharee VanVoorst’s position as 5th and 6th grade band instructor will be reduced from full time to half time. Also being reduced from full time to half time are Perry Killion and Glenda Walth. Both Killion and Walth have worked for the district as Strive High teachers, but the alternative school will no longer operate as Strive High starting next school year. Rather credit recovery will be offered within the primary district facilities.

Classified staff whose contracts will not be renewed include middle school nurse Stacy Tisher and web designer Andrew Kellemeyn.

Non-renewal of non-continuing contract teachers include Mary Mudder, the elementary compute teacher and Melissa Elrod-Miller, the elementary school counselor.

Board President Tom Morris said earlier this month the board doesn’t anticipate any further cuts to impact faculty.
Haven offers summer meals

Starting this summer, the Haven will offer hot meals to children Monday through Thursday, with the meals being provided by the Old Dutch at the cost of $3 per meal.

Snow days

The board agreed that the one of the two snow days so far this year will be made up at the end of the year.

The original last day of classes for students was Thursday, May 9. But canceled classes on Jan. 31 and Feb. 11, the second of which was due to extreme cold, had school officials mulling the idea of bringing back students on Monday, May 13.

The board agreed to only require one day to be made up by students, on Friday May 10. The second day to be made up will be a non-contact day, meaning students won’t attend school but faculty will. The board noted that if more classes are canceled due to weather between now and the end of the year, the decision will be revisited.